ECSA and ETF Launch ‘Seafarers Go Digital’ Initiative

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF), the European social partners for maritime transport, have announced the launch of the ‘Seafarers Go Digital’ initiative. This joint effort aims to identify and address the challenges posed by digitalisation in the shipping industry while ensuring the well-being and employment rights of seafarers.

The ‘Seafarers Go Digital’ initiative acknowledges the necessity of adapting international regulations, training programmes, and operational practices to embrace digital technologies. It emphasizes key areas such as onboard digitalisation, cybersecurity, internet access, e-certification, digital skills, and the overall attractiveness of the maritime profession. The initiative also provides policy recommendations to encourage further cooperation among the industry, unions, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

The initiative was launched today during an event in Brussels, featuring speeches from Barbara Sellier, Acting Head of Unit Maritime Safety, European Commission; Manuela Tomassini, Head of Department, European Maritime Safety Agency; and Rhiannon Ducas, representing the WESS Project. It builds on the outcomes of joint ECSA-ETF projects WESS and SkillSea.

ECSA represents 21 national shipowners’ associations from the EU and Norway. European shipowners control 39.5% of the global commercial fleet, contribute 149 billion euros annually to the EU GDP, and provide careers for 2 million Europeans both on board and ashore. ECSA aims to foster a regulatory environment that enhances the international competitiveness of European shipping, benefiting the EU.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) is a pan-European trade union organisation representing transport trade unions from the EU, the European Economic Area, and Central and Eastern European countries. The ETF includes over 5 million transport workers from more than 200 transport unions across 38 European countries.

The ‘Seafarers Go Digital’ initiative represents a significant step towards modernising the maritime industry while safeguarding the interests of its workforce, ensuring a balanced and progressive approach to digitalisation in shipping.